Setting tool

ABSTRACT

For use in placing a sand filter and liner in a well obstructed with sand, a setting tool adapted to support a liner and screen as the tool is run into the well bore, there being a fluid path through the tool and out a sand bit at the bottom for advancing through the sand on rotation in a particular direction, the sand being removed by rotation of the sand bit and the jetting action of the fluid flow to position the sand screen and liner at a desired elevation in the well bore, the apparatus further including a seal means adapted to be shaped by expansion to join the liner to the cased well bore on repeated reciprocation or pounding, the tubing string pulling free and retrieving the setting tool while leaving the liner and sand screen.

ited States Patent XX 44 ll 33 55 77 11 830 & 2978 y W 3928 am 8245 m nn223 PA a M m m o a C ;P l mm 91% cs. mum G i K 7 K amszu m ..b m n wJMQMAD m 0. de m N w m d v wmma .m AFPA P D31 3 U DUNN [54] SETTING TOOLABSTRACT: For use in placing a sand filter and liner in a wellobstructed with sand, a setting tool adapted to support a liner 8Claims,6 Drawing Figs. I

and screen as the tool is run into the well bore, there being a fluidpath through the tool and out a sand bit at the bottom for 166/205advancing through the sand on rotation in a particular [51] Int. Ezlb43/10 di tion the and being removed by rotation of the sand bit [50]175/314, d th j tti a tio f the fluid flow to position the sand screenand liner at a desired elevation in the well bore, the ap shaped onreparatus further including a seal means adapted to be by expansion tojoin the liner to the cased well bore peated reciprocation or pounding,the tubing string pulling free and retrieving the setting tool whileleaving the liner and Smm mT Wm m m ..T0

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PATENTED M824 l9?! SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVE N T6 R23 James K. Greer 8 Marv/nG. Kem

FIG. I

AT TORNE Y PATENTEUAUGMIHYI 3,601,208

SHEET 2 or 2 FIG. 6

FIGS

James K. Greer 8 Marvin 6. Kemp /N VE N TORS BY Mm ATTORNEY; I

SETTING TOOL SUMMARY OF PROBLEM AND SOLUTION Occasionally an oil well isdrilled into a producing sand and on evacuation of the drill bit anddrill pipe, the formation collapses and washes sand into the well bore.Quite often, the sand will fill the lower portions of the well boresufficiently to impede or totally inhibit flowing production.

In such a case, it is necessary to set a sand screen in the well bore toexclude the sand while being sufiiciently porous to admit the flowingproduction. The oil circulates through the sand and into the well borefor recovery from the well in a conventional manner.

Of necessity, a sand screen is not a load-bearing structure, and hence,some difficulties are encountered in setting a sand screen in a wellbore. It is sufficient to note for purposes of the present inventionthat while many devices and methods have been proposed heretofore forsetting a sand screen, they have been deficient in several regards.

It is with the problems of the prior art in view that the presentinvention is summarized as providing a setting tool adapted to be runinto a cased well bore having a sand accumulation therein. The tool ofthe present invention is adapted to be placed on a tubing string and runinto the well bore. The lower end of the tool incorporates a sand bitwhich is adapted to penetrate through the accumulation of sand as thetool is lowered and rotated in one direction. The tubing string providesa path of fluid communication through the tool and through the sandscreen, before setting, to the sand bit to wash away the sand to aid thetool in penetration into the sand. By continued rotation, lowering ofthe tool and washing, the sand screen is placed at the proper locationin the well bore. Thereafter, circulation may be terminated and the sandscreen is then set in position. The sand screen is preferably joined toa liner which extends from the lower end of the casing in the well boreto the point where the sand screen is desired. A malleable alloy, suchas lead or any suitable soft compound, is hammered and shaped to jointhe liner to the casing, the tool incorporating a hammer and anvilarrangement for shaping the alloy to seal the liner to the casing andprevent leakage in the well bore. The tool is reciprocated to pound andshape the seal. The tool is then retrieved by unthreading its connectionwith the liner and a shearpin separates the lower end of the tool fromthe screen The tool is then retrieved and the liner and screen are leftin position.

Many objects and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent from a consideration of the included drawings andspecification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view through the upper portions of the tool of thepresent invention with the liner installed thereon;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the lower portions of the tool of thepresent invention with the sand screen installed thereon;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1illustrating the clutch connection between the tool and liner portions;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1illustrating additional details of the malleable seal means securing theliner to the casing;

FIG. 5 shows the completed installation after removal of the tool andthe joinder of the liner to the casing; and,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the lower portions illustrating theinstalled sand screen in the well bore.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a cased portion of the wellbore which extends downward to a sandy portion indicated by the numeral11. Typically, the sand is found at a level coextensive with a producingformation whereby both flowing or perculating oil and sand enter thewell bore. The numeral 12 indicates a tubing string communicated withthe surface which manipulates the tool of the present invention, beingindicated by the numeral 15. The sleeve setting tool of the presentinvention is of indefinite length and is adapted to carry a sleeve 16and a selected sand screen indicated by the numeral 17. The length ofthe liner l6 and the sand screen 17 is dependent on the needs of theparticular well being screened, it being appreciated that theproducingformation may vary in thickness. Broadly, the tubing string 12is run into the well bore 10 with the tool 15 threaded thereto, and onencountering the sand in the well bore, the tool is rotated and asuitable fluid is pumped through the tubing string and the tool to washthe sand away to permit positioning of the liner l6 and sand screen 17at the desired location. Thereafter, the tool is operated to anchor thesleeve 16 in position and the tool is then retrieved, leaving the sleeve16 anchored in position and the screen is connected therebelow. This,then, permits the well to produce in the desired manner, and as aconsequence, the production is attained without danger of sanding thewell bore.

Considering the present invention more in detail, attention is directedto FIGS. 1 and 2 jointly for a description of the assembled tool. Itwill be appreciated that the setting tool 15 is subject to variation inlength and diameter inasmuch as the conditions may vary. A conventionalbox 19 is adapted to be connected to the tubing string in a conventionalmanner.

It provides fluidtight axial communication for the drilling fluids aswill be described. The box 19 is preferably integrally formed with aseating sleeve 20 which is threadedly joined to a tubular body member ormandrel 21. The seating sleeve and the mandrel 21 cooperate to extendthe fluid-communication path through the tool for the full length of thetool to the lower portions as will be described hereinafter. It will benoted that the setting sleeve increases in diameter to substantiallyfill the well bore 10, but nevertheless, sufficient annular clearancepermits the drilling fluids to pass through the tool and return to thewell bore on the exterior of the drilling tool 15. The clearance needonly be modest inasmuch as the quantity of wash fluid required to removethe sand from the well bore is typically not great.

The setting sleeve 20 includes a downwardly extending cylindricalportion 22 which terminates in a hardened lip 23 which will be describedas a hammer hereafter. The hammer 23 is hardened encircling lipextending fully about the tool 15 and is preferably shaped in theillustrated manner to flare or expand the seal as will be describedhereinafter.

The numeral 24 indicates a malleable lead seal 24 which is expanded,flared, or enlarged by operation of the hammer 23.

Preferably, the tubing string incorporates a bumper jar above the tool15 'to provide thenecessary reciprocating motion to set the liner 16 inposition. The lead seal 24 is pounded to the desired shape as will bedescribed hereinafter by reciprocation of the hammer 23 which poundsagainst the seal 24.

The setting sleeve 20 further incorporates an internal shoulder 25 forsupporting a coil spring 26 which encircles the tubular mandrel 21. Thecoil spring 26 bears against a clutch 27 which, in conjunction with athreaded nut 28, provides the necessary connection while yettransferring the reciprocating motion of the tool in the manner to bedescribed hereinafter.

The nut 28 is threaded on its exterior and engaged with a set of threadsformed on the inner surface of a tubular extension on the liner 16. Ananvil 29 is likewise joined to the liner l6. Briefly, the anvilfunctions in conjunction with the hammer 23 to shape the malleable leadsea] as will be described in detail. The liner 16 is provided with thethreaded cylindrical extension 30 to provide a means of engaging theliner with the stationary portions of the tool, those portions of thetool which do not reciprocate in setting the tool. Thus, the liner 16 isthreadedly engaged with a nut 28 which is slidably positioned about themandrel 21 for reciprocation.

The numerals 31 and 32 indicate a pair of keys on opposite sides of themandrel 21, the keys preferably being partially recessed in slots andextending sufficiently therefrom to limit rotation of the clutch 27 andthe nut 28. The extension 30 on the sleeve 16 provides a suitablemounting surface for the lead seal 24. The seal is preferably snuglyjoined to the extension 30 and preferably rests on the anvil 29. Theanvil 29 has a hardened upper surface which is somewhat pointed for easeof flaring of the lead seal.

In the use of the present invention, it is necessary to reciprocate thetubing string 12 through the use of bumper jars or other suitableapparatus to provide the necessary impact of the hammer 23 to expand theseal 24. The hammer 23 in conjunction with the anvil 29 expands the sealto anchor the liner 16 in the well bore. The hammering motion lifts thehammer 23 above the lead seal to permit it to strike and restrike theseal. The seal expands on the pointed edge or lip of the anvil and joinsthe anvil and consequently the liner 16 to the cased well bore 10. Thepounding and reciprocating motion is preferably isolated or limited tocertain portions of the tool, it being appreciated that the liner l6 andcertain apparatus associated therewith remains stationary during thesetting of the tool.

This is achieved in the following manner. The tool is reciprocatedwhereby the setting sleeve 20 and connected mandrel 21 reciprocateupwardly and downwardly. The mandrel 21 is not joined to either theclutch 27 or the nut 28, but has only a sliding connection therewith.This, then, lifts the hammer 23 above the seal while the liner l6, anvil29, clutch 27, and nut 28 do not move. When the hammer 23 strikes theseal, the seal is slightly expanded and more particularly, is driven onthe pointed upper lip encircling the anvil 29, This expands the seal andjoins the seal to the casing in the well bore.

With a view of conveying the reciprocating motion to the upper portionsof the tool while holding the lower portions stationary, the mandrel 21is only keyed but not fixedly joined to the clutch 27 and nut 28.However, it is necessary to impart rotation to the tool and for thesereasons, the clutch 27 and locknut 28 provide a means whereby rotationis transferred from the tool to the liner 16 to be set in a well bore,while at the same time the tool provides a means for unthreading thetool from the liner when it is finally set.

Attention is directed to FIGS. 3 and 4 jointly, which are sectionalviews through the apparatus. The sectional view of FIG. 3 shows theclutch 27 which is keyed to the mandrel 21 as including a pair ofprotruding dogs which are adapted to fall into a pair of matchedmachined notches in the upper lip or end of the tubular extension 30joined to the liner 16. The upper end of the internally threaded tubularmember 30 is preferably formed with a pair of machined recesses ornotches which match the shape and contour of the dogs on the clutch 27.The clutch as shown in FIG. 3 is arcuately shaped on its outer peripheryto permit its rotation just inside the hammer 23. In FIG. 4, the nut 28is shown threadedly engaged with the tubular member 3%). The nut 28includes additional keyways which come into play on retrieval of thetool 15 after the liner 16 is set.

Returning to FIG. 1, the coil spring 26 bears on the clutch 27 to forceit down into the shaped or contoured notches formed in the tubularmember 30. Thus, when the tubing string 12 is rotated, the settingsleeve 20 and the threaded mandrel 21 rotate with the tubing string. Theclutch 27 and the nut 28 rotate with the tubing string inasmuch as theyare keyed to the mandrel 21. This transfers the rotation to the liner l6and the remainder of the tool therebelow as will be described. In apreferred embodiment of the present invention, the nut 28 is preferrablyprovided with a left-hand set of threads whereby rotation in onedirection can only tighten the threaded connection of the nut 28 and thetubular member 30. Rotation in the opposite direction unthreads the nut28 from the liner l6 and this arrangement will be utilized in retrievingthe tool 15 after the liner has finally been set.

Reviewing the operation of the tool to this juncture, it will be notedthat an arrangement has been described whereby the tool 15 may be runinto the well bore but reciprocating motion is limited only to the tool15 whereas the liner 16 remains stationary to thereby permit it to beanchored in the well bore by expanding the seal 24 with the hammer andanvil arrangement described. Moreover, while running the tool into thewell bore, it is necessary to impart suitable rotation and washing toclear the sand in the well bore and an apparatus has been describedpermitting the tubing string and tool to rotate jointly when rotating inone direction, but the same means provides a means of disconnection ofthe tool 15 from the liner 16 when it has finally been installed.

Reviewing the description to this point further, it will be noted thatthe mandrel 21 reciprocates independently of the liner l6 and thisdifference in function should be kept in mind hereinafter in describingthe remaining portions of the tool.

Returning now to a description of the remaining portions of the tool, itwill be noted that the mandrel 21 supports a pair of clutch lift keys 33as shown in FIG. 1. These keys are adapted to pass through the nut 28which is provided with the additional keyway slots as shown in FIG. 4,but lift the clutch on retrieving the tool. The nut 28 is lifted by ashoulder 34 at the lower end of the mandrel 21.

Inasmuch as the liner l6 permits fluid to reenter the tool, the numeral36 broadly indicates a means for excluding the washed sand from theinterior of the liner 16. The mandrel 21 is made of several joints, andincludes a coupling 35 at the shoulder 34. An upwardly facing packer-cupassembly 37 and a downwardly facing packer-cup assembly 38, theassemblies being symmetrical, are supported at a particular location onthe mandrel 21. The packer assemblies 37 and 38 engage the inner wall ofthe liner 16 to thereby prevent the washed sand from passing internallyof the liner 16 upwardly of the tool. The packer assemblies 37 and 38are held in position in a conventional manner below the coupling 35.Since the mandrel 21 is normally of substantial length in the preferredembodiment, it is likely formed of several pieces of tubing. Again, acoupling 39 is shown just below the packers 37 and 38 to provide foratotal required length of the mandrel 21.

In FIG. 2 the liner 16 is shown threaded at its lower end into a nipple40 which provides the connection with the screen 17. The screen 17 ispreferably welded or otherwise joined to the nipple 40 which is thenthreaded to the liner 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mandrel 21 includes a coupling 43 at the top endof a polished tubing member 44. The polished tubing member 44 is ofmeasurable length and extends into a slip joint means indicatedgenerally at 45. The slip joint means 45 is connected to a largerdiameter tubing member 46, the tubing 44 being sufiiciently smaller topermit it to slide within the tubing member 46.

THe slip joint means 45 incorporates a packing 46, preferably formed ofTeflon or some other suitable resilient material having a low frictionsurface. The packing 46 abuts a shoulder 47 of a tubular member, apacking gland pin 48 securing the packing material 46 within the tubularmember.

The polished tubing member 44 passes through the packing gland 45 andincludes an enlarged shoulder or upset on the lower end at 49. Theenlarged shoulder 49 cannot be pulled through the packing gland. Theenlarged shoulder is locked against upward movement but is free to slidedownwardly within the tubing member 46 to thereby defined the slipjoint. Communication of fluid through the connection between the tubularmembers 44 and 46 is prevented by the packing apparatus. The tubingmember 44 telescopes within the cylindrical member 46 to accommodatereciprocating motion of substantial length. By way of example, thepreferred embodiment permits telescoping of in excess of l5 feet tothereby materially reciprocate the hammer and anvil arrangementdescribed. Moreover, telescoping of this measurable length willaccommodate the installation of a sleeve and liner which is somewhatshorter than the one shown in the drawings. For instance, a liner 5 feetshorter is accommodated by merely telescoping the tubing members asdescribed above,. The slip joint also permits rotation to the extentthis is required, and more will be noted concerning this hereinafter.

The numeral 50 indicates a sand bit secured at the lower end of thetool. The sand bit is a conventional item bought from any one of anumber of suppliers. The sand bit is installed on a tubular sleeve 51which interconnects with the screen 17. As will be appreciated, thetubular sleeve 51 is joined to the screen in a suitable manner. Thetubular member 46 which comprises a portion of the mandrel 21 extendingthe full length of the tool terminates in a shearpin coupling means 52.The coupling means 52 is preferably formed at the lower end of themandrel and provides a point of support for the sand bit 50 and a valvestructure as will be described. The coupling 52 is provided with a valveseat member 53 which is joined to the coupling 52 by a shearpin 54. Thevalve seat member is threaded to the sand bit 50 and associated sleeve51. A suitable O-ring 55 in an encircling recess seals the valve seatmemberagainst leakage past its connection with the shearpin couplingmember 52. The valve seat member 53 provides an internal shoulder for acoil spring 56 which bears on a snapring 57 carried on the stem of avalve member 58.

The valve member 58 is pressed upwardly as shown in FIG. 2 whereby it isseated in the seat member 53 to seal off against axial communicationthrough the lower portions of the oil tool 15. A path of communicationis provided through the mandrel 21 along the valve stem 51 and throughthe valve seat member which is perforated at a number of locations asindicated at 59. The perforations 59 permit the fluid to flow throughthe tool on forcing the valve 58 from its seat. When the valve 58 isforced open, access is obtained to a chamber 60 which communicates thedrilling fluid through the sand bit 50 to wash and jet away the sandaccumulated in the well bore.

In operation, the drill portion of the tool 15 is forced into theaccumulated sand in a well when the tool is lowered into the well andthe drill is rotated to advance the sand bit 50 into the sand. Fluid ispumped through the tubing string 12 and passes through the mandrel 21,the full length of the tool, and acts on the valve 58. The spring 56 isovercome and the valve 58 is opened from the valve seat 53. When thevalve is opened, fluid communication through the length of the tool isprovided to the sand bit and the drilling action of the sand bit ismeasurably enhanced by the washing of the sand by the fluid flow. Itwill be understood that the rate of flow is subject to variation, butthe washing action materially aids the tool in penetrating a sanded wellbore.

The foregoing, of course, describes operation of the present invention,wherein the means for sealing the liner 16 to the cased well bore hasbeen considered. As was described at that point, the use of the presentinvention involves rotation and reciprocation of the tubing string.

The reciprocation is to utilize the hammer and anvil arrangement toexpand the lead seal 24 as previously described. The reciprocation isaccommodated in the lower portions of the tool which remain stationeryin the well bore at the slip joint means shown in H6. .2. The sealingmeans 45 connecting the small diameter tubing 44 with the slightlylarger diameter tubing 46 permits the up and down movement orreciprocation of the tool. As the tubing string is reciprocated, thepipe 44 reciprocates upwardly and downwardly but the lower portions ofthe tool remain stationary.

Operation of the valve in conjunction with the sand bit 50 shouldlikewise be considered. On the presence of drilling fluid in the mandrel21, the pressure acts against the valve member 58 to force it open fromthe valve seat 53. This provides a path of communication to the sand bit50 as noted above. THe fluid is of great assistance in forcing the drillbit into a sanded well bore in that the fluid washes away the sandparticles and carries them to the wellhead. When the pressure isreduced, the valve closes and prevents backflow in the system.

Attention is next directed to FIGS. 5 and 6 jointly which show theinstalled liner and sand screen in the well bore. At the upper portionsof the well bore, the lead seal is shown expanded and wedged against thecase of the well bore 10. As will be appreciated, the lead flowsinwardly andbutwardly. The seal is thus firmly joined to the upperportions of the liner l6 and the casing to define a leak-proofstructurally reliable seal of high quality. Briefly, the expanded sealprovides a fluidtight joinder of the liner to the casing and moreover,provides an adequate structural support for the weight appended thereto.While other suitable malleable metals are known, lead is the preferredmetal in that it is not normally desirable to make the mechanical jointexcessively strong. Of course, other metals may be used under differentcircumstances. The liner 16 extends indefinitely to the coupling 40which then connects to the sand screen 17. As previously mentioned, thesand screen varies greatly in length, fineness of screen wire, and otherdetails which are clearly dependent on the geology of the particularwell.

The lower portions of the installed apparatus includes the tubularcoupling 51 which is at the bottom of the screen 17. It supports thesand bit 50 which is left in the well bore. It will be noted that only aremnant of the shearpin 54 remains with the valve and valve seatremaining intact. It will be recalled that the valve is communicatedwith the mandrel 21 when the tool is assembled with the screen, butretrieval of the mandrel leaves the valve and valve mechanism in thewell bore.

The foregoing has been directed to a description of the preferredembodiment and its operation. As will be appreciated, numerousvariations can be implemented in the present invention. The presentinvention is summarized as providing a retrievable tool adapted to berun on a tubing string in a sanded well bore for the purpose of settinga liner and screen. The tool permits the sand bit to be advanced throughthe sanded well bore to a desired elevation. Once the tool is located,the screen and liner are installed by fonning a permanent seal andconnective support between the liner and the casing. v

The terminology adopted in the forgoing is hereby adopted for the claimsappended hereto.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus adapted for screening well bores and comprising:

a. a body member adapted to be coupled to a pipe string for movement toa selected position within a well casing; b. a tubular screen memberarranged below said body member; 7

c. coupling means operatively coupling said members together forselective movements of said body member in relation to said screenmember,

d. first means adapted for fixing said screen member at a selectedposition within a well casing and including at least oneimpact-deformable element adapted for outward deformation into contactwith a well casing, and means operatively securing said deformableelement to said screen member; and,

. second means operable upon said selective movements of said bodymember in relation to said screen member for hammering said deformableelement outwardly into frictional engagement with an adjacent surface ofa well casmg.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said deformable element is a ring ofa malleable material, said ring being sized so as to be permanentlydeformed into engagement with a well casing.

3. The apparatus of claim l wherein said body member iri-v cludes adepending extension extended through said screen member and has a flowpassage therein adapted for conducting fluids circulated through a pipestring coupled to said body member; and wherein said first means furtherinclude a bit dependently coupled to said depending extension below saidscreen member for cutting through sand as said apparatus is moved into awell bore and fluids are circulated through said flow passage to saidbit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coupling means includespline-and-groove means adapted for permitting selective longitudinalmovements of said members in relation to one another; and said secondmeans include anvil-andhammer means operable upon said selectivelongitudinal movements to enable said deformable element to be hammeredoutwardly upon repeated longitudinal movements of said body member inrelation to said screen member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coupling means includespline-and-groove means adapted for permitting selective longitudinalmovements of said members in relation to one another; said second meansinclude anvil-and-hammer means operable upon said selective longitudinalmovements to enable said deformable element to be hammered outwardlyupon repeated longitudinal movements of said body member in relation tosaid screen member, and said coupling means further include thread meansadapted for permitting said members to be selectively uncoupled uponrotation of said body member in relation to said screen member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said deformable element is a ring ofmalleable material, said ring being sized so as to be permanentlydeformed into engagement with a well casing.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said body member includes adepending extension extended through said screen member and has a flowpassage therein adapted for conducting fluids circulated through a pipestring coupled to said body member; and wherein said first means furtherinclude a bit dependently coupled to said depending .extension belowsaid screen member'for cutting through sand as said apparatus is movedinto a well bore and fluids are circulated through said flow passage tosaid bit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said deformable element is a ring ofa malleable material, said ring being sized so as to be permanentlydeformed into engagement with a well casing.

1. Apparatus adapted for screening well bores and comprising: a. a bodymember adapted to be coupled to a pipe string for movement to a selectedposition within a well casing; b. a tubular screen member arranged belowsaid body member; c. coupling means operatively coupling said memberstogether for selective movements of said body member in relation to saidscreen member; d. first means adapted for fixing said screen member at aselected position within a well casing and including at least oneimpact-deformable element adapted for outward deformation into contactwith a well casing, and means operatively securing said deformableelement to said screen member; and, e. second means operable upon saidselective movements of said body member in relation to said screenmember for hammering said deformable element outwardly into frictionalengagement with an adjacent surface of a well casing.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said deformable element is a ring of a malleablematerial, said ring being sized so as to be permanently deformed intoengagement with a well casing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidbody member includes a depending extension extended through said screenmember and has a flow passage therein adapted for conducting fluidscirculated through a pipe string coupled to said body member; andwherein said first means further include a bit dependently coupled tosaid depending extension below said screen member for cutting throughsand as said apparatus is moved into a well bore and fluids arecirculated through said flow passage to said bit.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said coupling means include spline-and-groove meansadapted for permitting selective longitudinal movements of said membersin relation to one another; and said second means includeanvil-and-hammer means operable upon said selective longitudinalmovements to enable said deformable element to be hammered outwardlyupon repeated longitudinal movements of said body member in relation tosaid screen member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said couplingmeans include spline-and-groove means adapted for permitting selectivelongitudinal movements of said members in relation to one another; saidsecond means include anvil-and-hammer means operable upon said selectivelongitudinal movements to enable said deformable element to be hammeredoutwardly upon repeated longitudinal movements of said body member inrelation to said screen member, and said coupling means further includethread means adapted for permitting said members to be selectivelyuncoupled upon rotation of said body member in relation to said screenmember.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said deformable element is aring of malleable material, said ring being sized so as to bepermanently deformed into engagement with a well casing.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein said body member includes a dependingextension extended through said screen member and has a flow passagetherein adapted for conducting fluids circulated through a pipe stringcoupled to said body member; and wherein said first means furtherinclude a bit dependently coupled to said depending extension below saidscreen member for cutting through sand as said apparatus is moved into awell bore and fluids are circulated through said flow passage to saidbit.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said deformable element is aring of a mAlleable material, said ring being sized so as to bepermanently deformed into engagement with a well casing.